Princess Cara’s Garden 2012

…and so it begins.

You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby!

When I entered West Point 29 years ago, I was academically prepared (or so I thought) but I certainly was NOT physically prepared. I was a NO GO at that station. It was immediately determined that I needed “remedial” PT (physical training) and not only did I have to suffer and be humiliated during regular PT with my peers, I got the privilege of doing an extra hour of PT with a group of physical misfits.

The “Master of the Sword” – aka the infamous Department of Physical Education (DPE) instructors got ahold of me and my fellow PT-NOGO’s and literally spent years torturing us with cartwheels, self-defense, indoor obstacle courses, PT tests & mandatory intramural sports (like flickerball – DA HELL).

…and eventually I was no longer a PT-NOGO. Just like that, fitness went from a chore to a lifestyle. I moved off of remedial PT to the Power Lifting Team where I won the 1984 NY State Powerlifting Competition for my weight class. I went from not being able to run up the block to finishing my 1st Marathon (Marine Corp) as a cadet. It took me 5 hours 19 min, but I finished.
             
…and after I graduated, a former Master of the Sword, Maj M. Alexander, got his hands on me and had me get certified as an aerobics instructor as well as have us compete as an Army demo team at the Re.e.bok Aerobic Championships (remember those days?)
 
                
Some years passed in between then and now…I stayed active but not like before and it caught up to me. Life, genetics, life, kids, life got in the way and I got a little thicker. I started teaching kickboxing again. I started running again. I became firmer, leaner, but I’m still thick love. Alas. 

…and then my friend, Becca, asked me to do a Triathlon with her and I have become a Tri-Crackhead.
                             
…and now the journey continues. From PT-NOGO to Triathlete to Vice President of TriUnify – my Triathlon Club with Becca as the President. HOW ABOUT THAT!

AAAAANNNNDDD…I’m also involved (as Treasurer) of Strive2Tri – A Junior Triathlon Club. Please go over an check us out at www.strive2tri.org. Strive2Tri nurtures youth by:

• Providing training, gear and access to local races.
• Challenging youth to work towards positive short and long term goals.
• Managing a healthy weight through nutrition, education and exercise.
• Volunteering in the community.
• Encouraging family oriented recreation to support healthier living.
• Fostering parental participation.

We are seeking sponsors, donations, volunteers, and looking for kids that would like to participate. Check us out and SWIM, BIKE, RUN.

I’ve come a long way over these last 25 years. *cue music*…Let’s get physical, physical…I wanna get PHYSSSSS-I-CAL!

SuperSTAAAAARRRR!

My company selected me to participate in the making of a sales training video around “Advancing The Sale” and, of course, I was a natural…as described in the feedback sent to my regional & district managers:

On behalf of ______, _______ the Brand team, and the crew, thank you for participating in the video shoot Friday!  You were such a pleasure to work with and professional too - it was amazing how you could cry on queue to deliver that riveting emotional component we were looking for in script 7.  Kidding aside, we had an amazing 3 days of filming –11 videos over 3 days and everything went off without a hitch.  This could not have been possible without great talent such as yourself, so again thank you.

I’m just saying.

 

 

 

So, if need a gorgeous (yeah, I don’t have a self-esteem problem AT ALL) yet professional “actress” for your film, video or tv production…I’m available. How about a reality show – “Real Working Girl of DC”? I have great comedic timing.

 

I’m ready for my close up!

                 

I Got The Victory

We spent Resurrection Sunday with the family. The Fire Marshall and Princess Cara went off to church while I cooked and went on a short run. I put on my “Praise” track and as I was taking on that nasty little hill up Rt108 (which is part of the Clyde’s 10K run next weekend) the song “Victory” by Yolanda Adams came on. I tore that hill up singing at the top of my lungs…singing my life, my story…but I’ve got the victory!

 

Truly I been through the storm and rain
I know everything about heartache and pain
But God carried me through it all
Without His protection I'd surely fall
I been broke without a dime to my name
but all my bills got paid 'cause I called on Jesus name
You can't tell me that God isn't real 'cause
I got the victory and that's why I'm still here

I'm not worried 'bout material things I don't have
I just rest 'cause I'm sure in my savior's care
'cause I know that my blessing is on the way
I can't see it right now but I stand by faith
I fought many ,many battle's in His name
I held up the bloodstained banner and proclaim
that Jesus is the Truth and the Light
believe it when I say He will make it alright

 

What a glorious day it was!

             

      

            

Cooking With Love–Deviled Easter Chicks

I saw a picture earlier this week that originally came from Pintrest and then circulated on FB of these deviled eggs that looked like chicks hatching. KEEEUUUTE! I just had to make them. There were no instructions that I could find, but if I can make deviled eggs on the fly, I should be able to handle copying some deviled egg looking chicks just from the picture.

 

Start with some boiled eggs – like DUH. Oh, and (at least for me) let them cool completely and use a spoon to remove shell so that the egg remains smooth & unbroken. Then I cut them on an angle & used a small spoon to help get the yolk out without damaging the egg.

            

Put top & bottoms aside and make your filling. I have my favorite recipe…make your filling anyway you want. Once I had my filling ready, I put it in a quart size bag, cut out a corner and filled my eggs just as you would if you were working with frosting. Easiest way to fill an egg anytime.

            

                               

Once you have all your eggs filled (and over fill them as shown), put the caps on, add a sliver of carrot for the beak and whatever you want for the eyes. I hate olives so I used pieces of pickles…and WHA LA!

 

Deviled Easter Chicks

 

It looks labor intensive, but not really any more than making regular deviled eggs. This was fun and a huge hit!

 

Hope you had a Blessed Easter!

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Easter…

Table Scape – CHECK

Dyed Eggs – CHECK

Cookies made/decorated – CHECK

Menu Planned – CHECK

Egg Hunt Set up – IN PROGRESS

Church Clothes picked out – CHECK

Sound of Music DVD Cued to cook by – CHECK

Ten Commandments Collectors Edition waiting – CHECK (thanks Q)

 

  

                 

The menu plans include but are not limited to (still a work in progress) the following:

Turkey with Apple & Pecan Dressing

Lamb Roast

Roasted Vegetables

Cajun Corn Maque Choux

Another Veggie/Dish TBD

Deviled Egg Chicks

Mozzarella Bruchetta

GO EASTER CAKE

 

                 

                                      

Princess Cara has been busy this morning decorating cookies & eggs. Princess Charlee is getting up the Easter Egg Hunt later today for our OWN Easter Egg Roll/Hunt on the True Blessing Lawn since FOR THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW we didn’t get in the White House Lottery. HUMPH! I’m not bitter at all.

                  

How is your Easter shaping up? What you cookin’?

Soulful Sunday- Prince Jordan Edition

This past weekend we out to visit Prince Jordan, Heir to the Empire, Protector of the Realm & Beastly Lax Goalie for the Indiana Tech Lax Weekend (3 games over 3 days).

 

We had a wonderful time with our son at his off campus pad with his roommates and a bunch of the team parents.

 

 

 

I can almost rest easy…The Prince is doing real good for himself.

 

 

   

Warrior Athlete too…with a 3.3 GPA.  WOOT WOOT! One month left and The Prince is a college SENIOR.  Where did the time go?

 

Right now, he is having to get back & forth to school and practice on what his roommate’s mother calls the likka-cycle cause his roommate got a OWI (operating while intoxicated – not sure of the difference, but ok) and can’t drive for a while. The house vehicle is out of commission.

If only I could convince him that his melon is not indestructible and to wear a helmet. I tried to use the logic that he wouldn’t play without his helmet and no pro-athlete (race car driver, cyclist, etc.) would go without. HUMPH. Like talking to a brick wall. SIGH. A mother’s nagging is NEVER done.

 

A Wonderful Weekend of Warrior Lax…The Realm is Protected & The Prince is still BEAST!